Dynamo explode for four first-half goals in rout of Chivas

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- A four-goal outburst in a game is not very
common. The Houston Dynamo are making a habit of reaching that
mark before intermission.

Kei Kamara led a four-goal barrage in the first half Wednesday,
powering the Dynamo to a 4-0 rout of Chivas USA at Robertson
Stadium.

The two-time reigning MLS Cup champion, Houston overcame a short
roster and followed the pace it set when it used four first-half
goals en route to a 4-3 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

"There's not much more we could have asked for tonight," Dynamo
coach Dominic Kinnear said. "We kept a shutout, which was very
important and something we talked about at halftime.

"Overall, it was an excellent win. We are scoring goals now and
playing very well, so I am pleased for the guys because I do
know the work they are putting in every day."

With Wednesday's outburst, the Dynamo have scored four goals in
the first half of back-to-back games for the third time in MLS
history. Los Angeles previously accomplished the feat twice -
May 6-17, 1998 and June 4-7, 1998.

With starting forward Brian Ching, midfielder Dwayne De Rosario
and goalkeeper Pat Onstad missing this game due to international
call-ups for World Cup qualifying matches, Kamara scored a
career-high two goals to lead the Dynamo to their fourth
straight win and extend their unbeaten streak to seven.

"We have done a good job of putting a team together," Kinnear
said. "We are deep, (but) we know we have a tough schedule
that's going to test us later this month and in September. We
need as many good players as possible.

"Everyone is focused when they step on the field and, first and
foremost, they are good players, so they help us win games."

The triumph also gave Houston a five-point lead atop the Western
Conference standings, ahead of idle Real Salt Lake.

"We are back on top of the West; as we know, it's so important
to have home-field advantage if you can get it in the second
round of the playoffs," Dynamo midfielder Richard Mulrooney
said.

Chivas lost for the third time in four games and is winless over
its last five contests.

"I don't think we had any strong points tonight," Chivas coach
Preki said. "The better team won, they were sharp from the
first minute, and that's the end of that. We could've improved
everywhere. ... They got an early lead and, after that, it was
just a matter of how many we were going to concede on the
night."

Stuart Holden opened the scoring in 11th minute. After getting
a lead pass from Brad Davis outside the upper left box, he
looped the ball over goalkeeper Zach Thornton and into the right
side of the net.

Kamara scored the first of his two goals in the 22nd minute,
taking a pass from Mulrooney at the top of the box, turning his
defender around and firing a shot into the lower left corner
while falling to the ground.

"The experience is there," Kamara said. "There are about four
or five guys that have been on the team since (it was based) in
San Jose. With players that have been (around) that long, there
is a lot of respect. ... The experience is here and they have
the vision of a champion. That's why I love it here."

Nate Jaqua followed in the 28th minute with a goal off the
rebound of a corner kick.

Brad Davis' kick from the right side was headed off the crossbar
by Ricardo Clark. The rebound was kicked around inside the
six-yard box before Jaqua got a foot on it on the left side and
tapped it in the open net.

Kamara capped the onslaught with a header in the 35th minute.
Jaqua crossed a centering pass from the outside the left box
into the middle for Kamara, who headed it in for the final
margin.